A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder by detectives investigating the death of a woman whose body was found in a suitcase.

The 29-year-old was held on Tuesday afternoon and is being questioned over the woman's death after her body was discovered near a sports ground in Thornfield Avenue, Hendon, north London, at about 5pm on Sunday.

Earlier, police appealed for witnesses who may have seen someone moving a heavy trolley-type case in the area nearby, on or after July 18.

Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Wall said: "The homicide and serious crime command are still in the early stages of this investigation and urgently require the assistance of the public to help us establish the circumstances around the murder of this young woman.

"We are specifically appealing to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious towards the latter part of last week. Did you see anyone moving a heavy black trolley-type suitcase on or after July 18, especially around the Thornfield Avenue/Dollis Road entrance of the wooded area?

"We are also interested in hearing from anyone who is concerned about any young adult females who have gone missing from the immediate area recently."

A post-mortem examination was due to take place later and the woman's identity has not been released by police. Police patrols have been stepped up in the local area.

Detective Chief Superintendent Adrian Usher, borough commander for Barnet, said: "The discovery of the body of a young woman hidden in a suitcase is a tragic and shocking thing to happen. I am sure local people will be feeling unsettled by this news.

"Crimes of this serious nature are incredibly rare in our borough, which may only add to local concern over what has happened. I would like to reassure the local community that we are working closely with specialist homicide teams to establish the full circumstances surrounding this murder."

Anyone with any information can call police on 020 8785 8334, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to remain anonymous.